Dough-divider.



110,334,887. v` PATENTBD Nov. s, 1966.

D. I. CALHOUN.

DUUGH DIVIDER.

APLIGATION FILED 11:13.25, 1905. RENEWE'DIIBB. 21. 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. me/Wto@ @513/5021 @Hof/magnify@ -PMm'rED NOV. 6, 1906.

D. I. CALHOUN. n DOUGH DIVIDER. APPLICATION FILED IEB. 25, 1905. RENBWED FEB. 21, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

LEIQLJII EEE 1HE NaRRls PETER: ca, wAsHmcmN. n. c.

l n.1. CALHOUN.

y 80u88 DIVIDER. APPLICATION FILED PB B. 25, 1805. BENEWED PEB.21. 1908.l

`PATENTED NOV. 6, 1906.

` i l l I l i12min/wko@ Y' $9. Sm a@ on V Gu/mmm 1HE Namen PETERS cb.. wAsuma'roN, n. c.

No. 834,887. PVKATENTED NOV. 6, 1906.

l D. I. CALHOUN.

l DOUGH DIVIDER. urLzonroN FILED runas. 1905. Mmmm) FEB, 21. 190e.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

1 l 4 n A Aya, v //L Qca /7' mm y 5MM/Wto@ l 'ml "anni: Frrzns cv.. vusnmaron, n, c.

UNITED STATESl 'PATENT OEEIOE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6, 1906;

Application led FebruaryZ, 1905. Renewed February 21, 1906. Serial No. 302,224.

To w-ZZ whom t may concern,.-

-Be it known that I, DANIEL IRVING CAL- HOUN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dough- Dividers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l1 is a perspective view of the machine, Fig. 2, a side elevation thereofjFig. 3,

a plan view ofthe dough-pan; Fig. 4, a transverse vertical sectional view thereof, taken on the line IV IV of Fig. 3 g Fig. 5, a detail side elevation of one of the spacing-strips Fig. 6,

I a side elevation of one of thepan-knives Fig.

' is to provide a simple, light, inexpensive, andl 7, a similar view of one of the .end strips of the pan; Fig. 8, a detail transverse sectional view showing the upper -knives in contact withl the lower orv pan knives; Fig. 9, a plan view of the upper or removable cutter; Fig.

10, an end elevation thereof 5 Fig. 11, a lan view of lone of the -pressure-bars carrie by the 'upper cutter 3 Fig. 12, a plan-view of the handle which carries the upper lcutteryFig. 13, a transverse sectional view thereof g Fig. 14, a side elevation O'f the'handle-guide, Fig. 15, a diagrammatic view showing the upper and lower knives; Fig. 16, a detail plan view showing one of the pan-knives formed integral with a spacing-strip, and Fig. 17 a transverse sectional view on the line X X of Fig. 16.

One of the many objects of thisinvention easily-operated machine by which batches of dough may be divided into small sections for the purpose of making biscuits, rolls, and other small bakers products.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide such a machine with two sets of cuttingknives, on one of which the dough is placed, and providing means for bringing the two sets lof knives together in such manner that the dough is divided with a shearing or draw cut. l

A further obj ect of the invention is to-provide means whereby one set of cutting-knives will work directly on the beveled cutting edges of the other knives.

Another object of the invention is to provide a removable dough-receiving pan provided with one set of cutting-knives on which the dough is to be placed and by means of which thel divided portions of dough may be removed from the machine and deposited on the molding-board or other suitable place.

of the invention will appear hereinafter.

als, 1 designates the base of the machine, which is formed with the forward-projecting extension 2, adapted to prevent the base from tilting when pressure is brought on the operating-handle, as will be fully hereinafter end with the transversev upstanding lange 3 and across its forward end with the two vertical parallel flanges 4, these latter flanges being spaced a suitable distance apart to form a transverse guideway 5. On one side of the base--the right-hand side, as shownfin the drawings-the vertical lugs 6 are formed, said lugs projecting above the upper surface of the base and being upward-ly and outwardly beveled, as shown. On the opposite side of the base-the left-hand side, as shown in the drawings-the upward-extending lugs 7 are tance apart and provided with inward-eX- tending projections 8. On the rear end of the base are formed rearward-extending lugs 9, between which the rear end of the handle, as hereinafter described, is pivoted.

The dough-receiving pan 10 is adapted to fit between the flange 3, the rearward flange 4, and the lugs 6 and 7, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. left-hand side, yas shown in the drawings-.is secured a projection 114, which is adapted to fit under the projections 8 on the corresponding side of the base, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, to prevent any vertical or lateral movement of the pan at that point. The righthand side of the pan, as shown in Fig. 1, fits closely against the lugs 6, said lugs holding the rojection 11 under the projections 8. By t is means it will be readily seen that the pan is centered on the base without any special adjustment by the operator.

In the dough-receiving panv are secured longitudinal parallel knives 12, whose edges are beveled, as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 8. These knives are spaceda suitable distance rest on the bottom of the pan. These strips end of each of said ribs abutting squarely Other important objects and advantagesv Referring to the various parts by numerdescribed. This base is provided at its rear` formed, said lugs being spaced a suitable dis- To one side of this pan-the l IOO apart by means of spacing-strips 1.3, which able distance apart, the upper edges of said ribs being Hush withv the cutting edges of the knives, as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and-8, one4 e against the straight vertical side of the ade' joining knife and serving as a brace and support therefor. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, these spacing-strips are formed with two ribs 14, so that each knife is braced at two points in its length. The spacing-strips are formed near each end with the enlargements 15, which are of the same height as the ribs and serve as braces for the knives at their ends. At their extreme ends recesses 16 are formed in the upper surfaces of the strips 13 to receive the end pieces 17 of the pan, corresponding recesses 18 being formed in the ends of the knives to receive said end pieces 17, these end pieces being secured in place by means of screws or other suitable fastening devices. The sides of the pan are extended above the knives and are curved outward slightly, as shown in Figs, 1 and 4, and the end pieces arey formed with upward-extending outwardly-curved lugs 19, to which the upwardextending sides of the pan are secured. At one side of the panthe right-hand side, as

y shown in the drawings-a handle-piece 20 is secured in order that the pan may be readily lifted from the base.

Approximately one-half of the number of thel pan-knives 12 are beveled in one direction at their upper edges, the other knives being beveled in the opposite direction, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, and the knives of the upper cutter, to be hereinafter described, are so arranged as to work on the beveled surfaces of the pan-knives. It will therefore be seen that by oppositely beveling these knives, as described, the side thrust of the upper knives will be evenly distributed, and any tendency of the upper cutter to move laterally because of said thrust will be overcome and the dough cut with ease and accuracy.

The dough-receiving pan, as shown in the drawings, is adapted to receive three batches of dough-one to be placed transversely on f the pan between the two lines of ribs 14 and the others to be placed between said lines of ribs and the enlargements 15. As there are eleven knives therein, said three batches of dough will be divided into twelve parts, each by the upper cutter. It will of course be understood that as many knives as desired may be arranged in the pan and that the spacingstrips may be provided with as many ribs as desired, so that the capacity of the pan may be suited for the work to be performed. The pan is made' removable from the base in order that the batches of dough may be conveniently placed therein and also that it `may be removed from the machine after a cutting operation and the divided vdough deposited at any desired place convenient for the operator.

Pivoted between the lugs 9 at the rear of the base is the rear lower end of the handle 21. This handle consists of the rear vertical part 22 and the forward-extending horizontal part 2,3, this latter part being above the pan a suitable distance and lying substantially parallel with the base when in its lowered or normal position. At the forward end of the horizontal part 23 the handle is formed with a socket 24 to receive a forwardprojecting wooden bar or handle part 25. The handle part 21 consists, preferably, of two parallel slightly-separated members 26, which are formed of angle-irons, said members being joined together at their forward ends to form a socket 24. Secured to the handle directly over the transverse center of the dough-receiving pan by means of a transverse bolt 27 is the upper cutter 2S. This cutter consists of a series of parallel longitudinally-extending knives 29, which are spaced apart by means of blocks 30, secured between them along the upper edges thereof, said blocks spacing said knives to correspond with the spacing of the knives in the doughpan, so that when the upper cutter is brought down to divide the dough in the pan said knives will contact with the beveled surface ofthe knives in the pan, as shown in Fig. 8. These knives 29 are comparatively thin and `are beveled at their lower edges on both sides to bring them to a sharp cutting edge. It will of course be understood, however, that `they mag be beveled only on one side, if dcsired. s these knives are comparatively thin, they will flex slightly when pressed down on the beveled surfaces of the panknives. The spacing-blocks and the knives are permanently bolted together by long horizontal bolts 31, and secured to the top of the cutter midway its ends is a transverse bar 32, on which are formed upward-extending arms 33, the bolt 27 passing through the upper ends of these arms and connecting the cutter to the handle. To hold the upper cutter rigid and parallel with the horizontal part of the handle or at any angle necessary to secure the proper registration between the knives of the upper cutter and the knives of the pan, adjustable stops 34 are secured to the handle, one on each side of the bolt 27. These stops are in the form of yokes having a cross-bar 35 at their lower ends, the vertical arms 36 thereof extending through the handle part, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The arms of the yokes are threaded to receive the nuts 37, by means of which said yokes may be vertically adjusted. The upper nuts bear on the top of the handle part, while the lower ones bear on a cross-bar 38, which extends across the under side of the handle. By means of these nuts the crossbars 35 of the yokes may be adjusted to bear on the top of the upper cutter and said cutter thereby maintained at the proper angle to cause its knives to register with the cutting edges of the pan-knives. It is preferred to so adjust the upper cutter that the rear ends of its knives will engage the pan-knives in advance of the other portion of -the IOO `are being forced down through it.

ybetween the knives of the upper. cutter, a

pressure-bar 39 is mounted between each pair of said knives. Each pressure-bar is mounted on two vertical pins 40, one secured near each en d thereof, said pins extending through the blocks 30 and being provided. onV their upper ends above said blocks with stops 41, said stops, as shown in` the drawingsbein'g nuts screwed on the upper ends of said pins. The pinsl 40 are of such length that when the pressure-bars are in their lowermost positions their lower surfaces are substantially flush with the lower edges of the knives of the upper cutter, as shown clearl in Fig. 10. The pins 40 are adapted tos ide freely .through perforations in the blocks 30, as shown clearly in dotted lines in Fig. 10,v so that when the cutter is brought down on the dough said pressurebars may rest on the dough While thev knives vThese pressure-bars are preferably made of metal to give them sufficientweight to exert a slight equalizing-pressure on the dough, so that the batch of dough will be practically brought to the same level by said pressure-bars, whereby all the divisions of the dough will practically be of an equal size. When the cutter is raised, these pressure-bars force the sections of dough from between the knives. This is important, and it will of course be readily understood that these pressure-bars may be made in any suitable manner.

j To provide for the lateral adjustment of the upper cutter to secure the proper register between its knives and the pan-knives, I mount the handle carrying said upper cutter on the pivot-bolt 42, said handle being rigidly secured to said bolt by means of a setscrew 48, as shown clearly in Fig. 12. ends of the pivot-bolt 42 are threaded, and screwed thereon are lock-nuts 44, by means of which said pivot-bolt may be adjusted laterally in the lugs 9. By this means the handle and the'upper cutter may be adjusted laterally in either direction. To properly center the upper cutter, a guide 45 is mounted on a transverse bar 46, which is adapted to fit in the channel or guideway 5, formed by the transverse flanges 4 at the forward end of the base. This bar 46 is formed with slots 47, through which bolts 48 extend to adjustably secure said bar to the base and so that thegiide may be shifted laterally to place it in `proper position to receive the socket part 24 of the handle, and. thereby center the cutter over the pan. To prevent the cutterknives from being forced. too -far down on the pan-knives, a vertically-adjustable stop 49 is mounted in the cross-bar 50 of the guide 45. By vertically'adjusting this stop the cutter- The wear and arrested at the proper point Vto avoid all danger of injury to said knives and to the pan-knivers.

In Figs. 16 and 17 a spacing-strip 13a is shown as formed integral with one of the panknives 12a. This is an obvious arrangement ment shown in Fig. 4, wherein the knives and spacing-strips are separate.

From the foregoing itlwill be readily seen that I provide an exceedingly simple, light, and easily-operated dough-divider by means yof which batches of dough may be divided into small pieces suitable for making rolls and the 4like with very little pressure. This latter feature is of great importance. It has been found. that to subject dough to a heavy pressure when the dough is in the proper condition for baking destroys its life, so that l when baked it is heavy and has lost its lightness `and fine quality. Because .of this fact bakers have refused to use dough-dividers cutting knives thro ugh the dough. The dough is not divided until it is in a condition to be baked., and at that point in its manipu- `lation it is very sensitive to pressure. For this reason a dough-divider operating under a very light pressure is essential."

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A dough-divider comprising two sets of knives, the knives of one set being beveled on their cutting edges, means for moving one of said sets of knives whereby the cutting edges of one set of knives will be brought into engagement with the beveled surface of the ing adapted to yield laterally slightly in order that their cutting edges will move slightly downward and outward along the beveled surface of the other set of knives.

2. A dough-divider comprising two sets of knives, the knives of one set being thicker than the knives of the other set, the thicker -knives being beveled on their cutting edges,

knivesy may be lowered to compensate for which has some advantages over the arrangeother set of knives, one set of said knives bewhich require a heavy pressure to force the IIO and means for bringing the cutting edges of f the thinner knives into engagement with the beveled surfaces of the thicker knives, the thinner set of knives being adapted to have a slight lateral or outward movement,.whereby they may be moved slightly downward and outward on the beveled cutting edges of the thicker knives.

3. A dogh-divider vcomprising two sets of knives, one of said sets of knives being thicker than the other set and beveled on their cut-- ting edges, said thicker set of cutting-knives being held stationary during the cutting operation the set of thinner knives being slightly flexible, means for bringing the cutting edges.

of the thinner knives into engagement with the beveled surfaces of the thinner stationar L knives,.whereby the thinner kniveswill-yield;

or flex slightly and have a slight downward movement on the beveled surfaces of the thicker knives.

4.-. A dough-divider comprising a set of stationary knives beveled along their upper edges, some of said knives being beveled in one direction and the others being beveled in the opposite direction, and a series of movable slightly-flexible knives adapted to engage the beveled surfaces of the stationary knives to be slightly flexed thereby.

5. A dough-divider comprising a doughreceiving pan, a frame to receive and center said pan, a series of parallel knives within said pan, a number of said knives being beveled in one direction and the other being beveled in the opposite direction, a handle pivoted on the frame, a cutter carried by said handle and formed of a series of parallel slightly-flexible knives adapted to engage the beveled surfaces of the pan-knives and to be slightly flexed thereby.

6. A dough-divider comprising a doughpan, a series of knives therein beveled on their upper cutting edges, a movable cutter carrying a series of knives adapted to engage the beveled upper edges of the knives in the dough-pan, said knives in the movable cutter being adapted to yield laterally slightly, whereby they may be moved downward and outward on the beveled cutting edges of the knives in the dough-pan.

7. A 'dough-divider comprising a base, a dough-pan ada ted to be placed thereon, a series of paralle knives in said pan, a pivoted handle, a cutter carried by said handle and provided with" a series of parallel thin cuttingknives adapted to register with the knives in the dough-pan,sa1d knives being adapted to be flexed slightly whereby they may be moved over the beveled edges of the pan-knives.

8. A dough-divider comprising a base, a dough-pan adapted to be removably secured thereon and provided with a series of parallel knives, a handle pivoted to the base, a cutter carried by said handle, means carried by said handle for adjusting said cutter to cause the knives thereof to register with the knives in the dough-pan, and an adjustable guide carried by the base and adapted to receive the handle.

9. A dough-pan for a dough-divider comprising a receptacle, a series of parallel knives therein, a series of spacing-strips between said knives, and upward-extending transverse ribs formed on said spacingstrips at coincident points equal in height to the knives, whereby transverse divisions will be formed in said dough-pan.

10. A dough-divider comprising a set of stationary knives beveled along their upper edges, a portion of said knives being beveled in one direction and aportion being beveled in the opposite'direction, and a series of movable knives adapted to engage the beveled edges of the stationary knives.

11. A dough-divider comprising a base, a dough-pan provided with a series of parallel knives, a handle pivoted to the base, a cutter adjustably mounted on the handle, adjustable stops carried by the handle in front and in the rear of the cutter-pivot, whereby the said cutter may be adjusted at its front or rear edge toward or from the knives in the dough-pan to place said knives at any desired angle with respect to the pan-knives, to secure a draw cut between said knives.

12. A dough-divider comprising a base, a series of parallel knives thereon, a handle pivoted to the base on a transverse pivot, a cutter adjustably mounted on the handle on a transverse pivot, adjustable stops carried by the handle in the front and rear of the cutter-pivot, whereby the said cutter may be adjusted at its front and rear edge to place the knives at any desired angle with respect to the pan-knives.

. 13. A dough-divider comprising a base, a dough-pan provided with a series of parallel knivesfa pivoted handle, a cutter carried by said handle, a guide carried by the base and adapted to receive the handle, means for laterally adjusting said guide and a vertically-adjustable stop carried by said guide and adapted to arrest the handle at the proper point, and to be adjusted to compensate for the wear on the knives and to secure the proper registration thereof.

14. A dough-divider comprising a doughreceiving pan, a frame to receive and center said pan, a series of parallel knives within said pan, a number of said knives being beveled in one direction and the others being beveled in the opposite direction, a handle pivoted on the frame, a cutter carried by said handle` and formed of a series of parallel slightly-flexible knives adapted tc engage the beveled surfaces of the pan-knives Yand to be slightly ilexed thereby, and means for laterally adjusting the movable cutter to bring the cutting edges of said cutter into proper registration with the beveled surfaces of the pan-knives.

15. A dough-divider comprising a doughreceiving pan, a frame to receive and center said pan, a series of parallel knives within said pan, a number of said knives being beveled in one direction and the others being beveled in the opposite direction, a handle pivoted on the frame, a cutter carried by said handle and formed of a series of parallel slightly-flexible knives adapted to engage the beveled surfaces of the pan-knivesand to be slightly flexed thereby, and means on the base at the rear of the dough-receiving pan for adjusting the handle laterally, and an adjustable guide on the base in front of the dough-receiving pan and adapted to receive the handle, whereby the knives of IOO IIO

asa-1,1518?v the movable cutter may be accurately adjustedto engage the beveled surfaces of the pan-knives.

16. A dough-divider comprising a doughreceiving pan, a frame to receive and center said pan, a series of parallel knives within said pan, a number of said knives being beveled in one direction and the others being beveled inl the o posite direction, a handle pivoted on4 the game, a cutter carried by said handle and formed of a series of parallel slightly-flexible knives adapted to engage the beveled surface of the pan-knives and to be slightly flexed thereby, and means carried by the handle for adjusting the cutter whereby the longitudinal edges of the knives may be arranged at any desired angle with respect to the cutting edges of the pan-knives.

17. -A dough-divider comprising a base, a removable dough-receiving pan, means on the base for centering the dough-receiving pan thereon, a series of arallel comparatively thick knives in saidp pan, said knives being beveled on their upper edges, a handle pivoted on said base at the rear of the doughreceiving pan, lmeans for laterallyv adjusting said handle at the pivotal point, a cutter carried by said handle and formed of a series of parallel, slightly-flexible knives adapted to be rought into engagement with the beveled surfaces of the pan-knives and to be slightly flexed thereby, a laterally-adjustable guide mounted on the base'in front of the dou hpan and adaptedl to receive the han le, means carried bythe handle for adjusting the cutter to vary the angle of the longitudinal edges of the knives with respect to the cutting edges of the an-knives, anda stop carried by the hand -guide to limitl the downward movement ofthe handle.

18. A dough-divider comprising a doughreceiving pan, a series of parallel cutters therein, a vertically-movable cutter formed with a series of parallel knives ada ted to register with the cutting edges of t e panknives, freely-movable presser-bars arranged between the knives of the vertically-movable cutter and adapted to force the dough from between said knives when the cutter is raised after a cutting operation.

19. A dough-divider comprising a base, a dough-receiving pan provided with a series of parallel knives on which thedough is to be placed, a handle pivoted on said base, a cutter mounted'on said handle and formed of a series of parallel knives whose cutting edges are adapted to register with the cutting edges of the pan-knives, a series of heavy presserbars mounted between the knives carried by the handle, guide-rods `connected vto said presser-bars and adapted to move freely in the cutter, whereby when the handle is raised the presser-bars will force the dough from between the knives.

20. A dough-pan formed of an outer case,

a series of parallel knives arranged therein, a

series of spacing-bars arranged between said knives, said spacing-bars being formed at corresponding points withtransverse 4ribs which brace the knives and form transversedivision-ribs across the an, whereby the interior of the pan is divi ed into a plurality of transverse compartments.

21. A doughan formed of an outer case, a series of parallel knives arran ed therein, ar series of spacing-bars arranged etween said knives, said spacing-bars being formed atr` corresponding points with transverse ribs which brace the knives and form transverse division-ribs across the an, whereby the interior of the pan is dividled into a plurality of transverse compartments, and retainingstrips at the ends of the pan to secure the knives and the spacing-bars in position.

22. A dough-pan formed of an outer case, a series of parallel knives arranged therein, some of said knives being beveled in the op posite direction, a series of spacing-bars arranged between said knives, said spacingbars being formed at corresponding oints with transverse ribs lwhich'brace the ives and form transverse division-ribs across the pan, whereby the interiorvof the pan is divided into a'plurality of transverse compartments. I

23. A dough-divider comprising -a base, a dough-pan movably mounted thereon, means on the base to center the dough-pan,

a series of parallel knives rigidly supported in and movable with the dough-pan, a handle, means for pivotally mounting said handle on the base, a vertically-adjustable stop` for said handle, aseries of arallel knives carried by said handle and a apted to register with the knives in the dough-pan whereby the' doughan may be removed from the base after eacli cutting operation and the contents thereof readily removed.

24. A dough-divider comprising a base, a removable dough-pan -loosely mounted thereon, means on the base to center the dough an, a series of parallel knives mounted) in the dou h-pan and movable therewith, said knives eing beveled on their cutting edges, a pivoted handle mounted on the base, a cutter carried by said handle, said cutter consisting of a series 'of parallel slightly-ilexible knives, sharpened on their cutting edges and adapted to contact with the beveled surfaces of the knivesA in the dough-pan, means to center the movable cutter over the dough-pan, and means to limit the downward movement ofthe handle.

25. A ldough-divider comprising a base, a dough-pan removably mounted thereon, means to center the dough-pan on the base, a series of parallel knivesl permanently secured within the dough-pan, a cutter provided with a series of parallel knives adapted to register with the knives in the dough-pan,

IIO

whereby the dough-pan may be removed from the base and the contents thereof readily removed.

26. A dough-divider comprising two sets of knives, the knives of one set being beveled ontheir cuttin edges, means for moving one of said sets o knives to bring their cutting edges into engagement with the beveled surfaces of the knives of the other set, one of said sets of knives being adapted to yield laterally when the two sets of knives are brought into forcible engagement.

27. A dough-divider comprising two sets of knives, the knives of one set being beveled on their cutting edges, means for moving one l 

